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Placido Domingo to remain as LA Opera director

Cheryl Devall|September 20, 2010

The LA Opera’s announced an encore engagement. Renowned performer Placido Domingo will remain as its general director for at least two more seasons.

On the eve of the opera’s new season, officials confirmed that Domingo’s extended his contract through 2013. Beyond that, the singer and the company may automatically continue the arrangement by mutual agreement.

Domingo’s history with the LA Opera stretches back a quarter century, when he signed on as its first artistic advisor. He also sang the title role in the company’s earliest production of Verdi’s "Otello."

The Spaniard has maintained an administrative role with the LA Opera — and, for the last seven years, with the Washington National Opera — alongside his busy international performance schedule. Domingo helped to present Wagner's Ring Cycle in Los Angeles for the first time, and he placed LA Opera on the list of companies to watch for innovative productions.

Earlier this year, the star known for never canceling an engagement had to back out of several when his doctors sidelined him for cancer surgery.

In April, 69-year-old Domingo resumed his activities. They include singing the pivotal role of poet Pablo Neruda in the LA Opera’s first production of the season, "Il Postino," based on the 1994 movie of the same name. Its world premiere debuts Thursday night.